Batman Gets It Right while Rush Limbaugh Gets It WRONG

Take heart Batman! A recent study at Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab found that when children were asked if the Caped Crusader would eat apples (good) or fast food French fries (bad), they overwhelming said their hero would choose apples!

Wow! Pow! Bang!  So move over film critics who of late have negatively reviewed the most recent Batman film, The Black Knight Rises, as having little merit.

The movie’s talented director, Christopher Nolan, has even gone on record to defend the many fans who have responded to the critics’ negative reviews by storming the Internet.

The resulting digital wave was so massive that the popular cinema info site, Rotten Tomatoes, closed down the viewers’ comment area. Rather sad.

But possibly the strangest of the strange was Rush Limbaugh’s seeing sinister political plots by President Obama and Hollywood, where none existed, by confusing the film’s villain’s name, Bane with Mitt Romney’s controversial firm, Bain.

With just a little study (no apple from the teacher for Limbaugh), this extreme conservative radio host would have learned that the movie’s hateful character was actually created by Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan (both lifelong conservatives) back in 1993, years before Romney began asking Americans to consider electing him president.

So at this point, the children in the Cornell Test Lab seem a whole lot smarter than this ill-informed commentator who often advances his career through hateful speech on a wide range of topics, including labeling those who advocate healthy food choices for children as "Food Nazis".

His comments are not just sad thoughtless speech, but rather the hazardous habit of substituting hate for truthful useful information.

Post Note, July 20, 2012: The staff of YourCulinaryWorld.com arrived at the office greatly saddened today by the tragic news from Aurora, Colorado where many people were killed and many more injured by a masked shooter during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

The question that comes to mind as we discuss this horror is "Why?" Why must our world be like this? Why must be the innocent suffer?

We do not have the answer. We wished we did, but we do know that we must seek to understand the source of such violence, no matter how ugly the resulting answers may be to us or about us. 

Only then can we change the future and genuinely leave these darkened days behind us, rather than endlessly repeat the past, complete with all its senseless clubs and stones, guns and bombs. Then perhaps the seemingly ceaseless stream of tears that floods our world might stop.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

White House Correspondents Dinner Features a Menu of Hope and Humor

Each year on the last Saturday in April, the President of the United States hosts the leading members of the American press corps and other select guests to the White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel. 

This year’s event was a memorable gathering that offered a menu of outstanding cuisine, belief in the future and insightful humor.

The very busy chefs in the Washington Hilton’s kitchens delighted the over 3,000 guests attending with the following menu:

Salad 

Black Lentil Terrine with Lump Crabmeat
Tango Green and Red Artisan Greens
Red and Yellow Tear Drop Tomatoes
Dill Vinaigrette

Entrée
Texas Rubbed Petite Filet with a Calvados Demi
paired with Duo of Jumbo Shrimp seasoned with Red Curry
Roasted Haricot Verts, Baby Pepper, Patty Pan Squash
Tasso Mache Choux Risotto

Dessert
The Galaxy -- Rich Chocolate Truffle Mousse
layered with Chocolate Genoise and Almond Macaroon
and a Ganache Truffle Center with chocolate glaze
garnished with fresh raspberries

Wines - Estancia Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon

Michelle Obama, the nation’s elegant first lady, worn a floral gown by the Indian born American designer Naeem Khan. As always she charmed and put at ease all that she met.

But the true stars of the evening were Barack Obama and political humor.  For those who questioned the appropriateness of laughter in an era that faces global unrest and fearful unemployment worldwide, it is important that since 1920, when the first dinner was hosted, humor has always been an invaluable tool to de-stress and remember through the laughter what is truly important.

Should Obama be re-elected, his second term will be his last as dictated by the American constitution.  As a result, the President sought through humor to ask his audience to reach to the future.

After the dinner on Monday morning, the Democratic campaign team released their first major video ad listing, yes, the accomplishments of the President’s first four years but also setting a “FORWARD” theme for the next four years.

“Forward” is a wise choice as change and innovation requires motion as any member of the hospitality industry knows. That forward motion must include everyone, not just a few  - be they single departments or selected social groups. No hotel or restaurant is successful only in part and neither is any nation.

Together is better and that’s no joke!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Engagement of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Brings Back Classic Wedding Trend

Over the past weekend Angelina Jolie, accompanied by her long time love Brad Pitt, appeared at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art wearing an elegant 16 carat designer engagement ring. Both the press and their children have long waited for the announcement of a wedding to come.

And though no date is yet set, Angelina's classic style is sure to mark a return to what stylists regard as “quiet luxury weddings”. The hallmark of such events is a subtle elegance, an understated style that separates the long established elite from the merely newly arrived.

Wedding silver, at such events, isn’t rented or purchased because the family has long had theirs.

There is no need for a flash or flare wedding gown that says, “Look, we’ve socially made it!” QL families have already arrived.

So look for bridal themes to be quietly chic this spring as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt set the season’s wedding styles.

Restrained elegance will be the trend and, so hopefully will be the charity work done by the couple.

Mature sophistication should always include an awareness of others, especially those not blessed with such a wealth of opportunity and choices.  

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Joint British American Menu Greets Guests at White House Official Dinner

Inspiring style was in full force at the White House as President Obama and the First Lady entertained British Prime Minister and his wife, David and Samantha Cameron, at an elaborate offical dinner.

And while many are evaluating the guest list (try George Clooney, Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth Lee McGovern among others) or the fashions worn (Georgina Chapman, Tom Binns, Chanel and Alessandra Rich)this morning, chefs everywhere want to know, first and foremost, what was served.

So here’s the creative menu developed by the White House’s talented Executive Chef Cris Comerford, who deftly blended the cuisine of these two countries together - nations that have long been allies and friends during the best and the worst of times:

First Course: Crisped halibut with potato crust, served on a bed of braised baby kale from the White House garden. Shaved Brussels sprouts, Applewood smoked bacon

Salad Course: Spring garden lettuces with shallot dressing and shaved radish, cucumbers and avocados

Main Course: Bison Wellington, pairing the pastry case created for the British soldier and statesman, the Duke of Wellington with American buffalo tenderloin from North Dakota, instead of beef. Red wine reduction, French beans, cipollini onion

Dessert: Steamed lemon pudding with Idaho Huckleberry Sauce and Newtown Pippin apples

Wine: American vineyards

And the setting couldn’t have been better – a beautiful spring evening in a tent under the sparkling stars on the White House's South Lawn. Well done and bravo!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012 

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Gladly Welcomes Newlyweds Again for $16.80 Room Rate

Some hotels do it with a style that endures and one such hotel is certainly the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

And nothing demonstrates that elegance better than the fact that Isidore and Joan Schwartz will return to the Hotel to celebrate their wedding reception and overnight honeymoon first held there 60 years ago. In 1952 Harry Truman was the American president and America’s unofficial movie princess Grace Kelly was planning her wedding to Monaco’s Prince Rainier.

Back at the Waldorf the couple’s catered steak wedding dinner was a mere $4.75 per guest. How times have changed. Today's rates start at $319.

But not for the Schwartzs. You see the Waldorf has a little known tradition of welcoming back guests at the original rate charged when they return to re-celebrate major life events first hosted at the Waldorf. What style! (And what positive image branding for a mere $16 plus! Brillant marketing positioning!)

So on their anniversary date Isidore and Joan Schwartz, now 88 and 82 years old, will return to the Waldorf Astoria for the warmest of welcomes as they celebrate 60 years of married life with family and friends.

And the Schwartz’s room charge – same $16.80 originally charged in 1952. This time they might even decide to ask room service for champagne and caviar. Why not – they’ve earned it! Just Look at those happy faces!  

So well done Waldorf! You set the standard, just as this amazing couple has done!

 

Now  (2012) 

Then (1952) 

Congratulations and Best Wishes Always!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012